Bhubaneswar: Lawyers across Odisha launched a pen-down strike on Wednesday protesting the murder of senior advocate and BJP leader Pitabas Panda in Berhampur two days ago.
The Odisha State Bar Council, which has given the strike call, condemned the killing and demanded justice for the slain lawyer. Council President Sitanshu Mohan Dwivedi said Panda, a member of the State Bar Council, had been elected with the highest number of votes.
Notably, the 50-year-old senior advocate was shot dead by two bike-borne miscreants, who fired at him from close range, near his house at Brahma Nagar area at around 10 pm on Monday. Panda sustained bullet injuries on his chest and was rushed to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Panda was a member of the State Bar Council and an RTI activist.
Describing the incident as highly shocking, the State Bar Council urged the state government to ensure the immediate arrest of the culprits and institute a judicial inquiry into the murder. It also demanded Rs one crore compensation for Panda’s family.
After visiting Berhampur, representatives of the Bar Council have intensified their demand for swift action and financial support to the bereaved family.
The Council also urged the state government, the Director General of Police (DGP), and all authorities concerned to treat the matter with the utmost urgency and sensitivity, reaffirming their commitment to the protection of the legal profession.